Window-catch.



M. 0. STOVER. WINDOW CATCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1912.

Patented June 24, 1913.

ammo o Marfi. C. CSZo/er l/vvhwouo 6 6,

Gum/"M COLUMBIA PLANOORAFH c0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITE STTES FIQ.

WINDOVV-CATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 24, 1913.

Application filed July 16, 1912. Serial No. 709,738.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK C. S'rovnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Decatur, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in indow-Catches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to window catches, the object in view being to provide a safety catch for arresting the downward descent of the window sash upon breakage of one or both of the sash cords thereof, thereby avoiding the breakage of the pane or panes of glass carried by the sash.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for fastening the catch in an inoperative position when not needed in use.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the casing of the window catch, showing the operative parts thereof in elevation. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the operation of the wedge in throwing the catch into action. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the casing complete. Fig. 4: is a face or edge view of the casing, show ing the jamb engaging teeth on the catch. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the face plate, showing the wedge releasing and fastening button. Fig. 6 is a reduced elevation of a portion of a window sash, showing the catch of this invention applied thereto. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the thumb screw.

The sash catch contemplated in this invention comprises essentially a substantially rectangular casing 1, provided at its front edge with upwardly and downwardly eX- tending flanges 2 and 3, adapted to receive screws, whereby the casing as a whole may be secured to one of the sides of the window sash, in the same manner as an ordinary mortise lock, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 6.

Vithin the casing 1 is mounted a pivoted catch 4t, the same being pivotally mounted adjacent to its upper end, as shown at 5, while at its lower end it is provided with an outwardly projecting portion or arm 6 adapted to move through an opening 7 in the casing, and provided wit-h sharp pointed teeth 8, which extend outwardly and downwardly, so as to insure the same becoming firmly embedded in the jamb of the window frame, when the catch is thrown outward by means hereinafter described. I

Behind the catch 4 and within the casing 1 is mounted a sliding wedge 9 which bears against the rear wall 10 of the casing and also against the rear edge of the catch 4. Connected to the upper part of the wedge 9 is a plunger 11 which operates through an opening in the top of the casing, and has its lower end preferably threaded into an internally threaded pocket in the wedge, as shown at 12. The plunger 11 is also provided with a hinged joint 13 at a suitable point thereof, so as to allow of the relative pivotal movement between the wedge and the plunger, as the plunger and wedge are moved downward.

Extending upward from the top wall lt of the casing is a small spring housing 15, in which is arranged a coiled expansion spring 16, the upper end of which is held in the housing, while the lower end thereof engages a shoulder on the plunger, or said spring may rest against the upper edge of the wedge 9. The force of this spring is utilized to thrust the wedge 9 downward, when the plunger is released.

At its upper end, the plunger 11 is provided with an eye 17 adapting the usual sash cord or chain 18 to be connected thereto, the idea being that when such sash cord or chain breaks, the plunger is released and thrown downward by the spring 16, which also throws the wedge 9 downward and forces the engaging teeth of the catch at out-ward into firm engagement with the window jamb. This prevents the sash from falling and breaking the glass carried thereby.

In order to provide for restoring the wedge to its inoperative position, a thumb piece or button 19 is provided, the same having its shank threaded, as shown at 20, and screwed into a threaded socket 21 in the wedge. A slot 22 is formed in the adjacent side wall of the casing 1 to admit of the movement of the shank of the thumb piece, and an escutcheon or face plate 23 is also secured to the inner face of the sash to give the same an ornamental appearance, said face plate being also provided wit-h a slot 24, through which the shank of the thumb piece passes, and along which it operates in the up and down movements of the wedge.

It will be understood that the catch is held inoperative as long as the sash cords remain intact. As soon as a sash cord breaks, however, the safety catch is hrown out into ongagement with the ainb, and thereby quickly arrests the sash and prevents further downward movement thereof. To release the sash from its position, it is only neces sary to push upward on the thumb piece described, thereby drawing the teeth of the catch out of engagement with the jainb. A new sash cord may then be put into position and attached to the plunger of the catch.

hat is claimed is:

1. A window catch for sashes, comprising a casing, a pivoted catch therein adapted to be projected through an opening in the casing and provided with jainb engaging teeth, a spring thrust wedge operating be tween the catch and a wall of said casing to press the catch into action, and a sash cord sustained plunger connected with said wedge and adapted. to he released upon the breakage of the sash cord.

2. A window catch tor sashes, comprising a casing, a pivoted catch therein adapted to be projected through an opening in the casing and provided with jainb engaging teeth, a spring thrust wedge operating between the catch and a wall of said casing to press the catch into action, and a sash cord sustained plunger connected with said wedge by a hinge joint and adapted to be released upon the breakage of the sash cord.

3. A window catch for sashes, comprising a casing, a pivoted catch therein adapted to be projected through an opening in the casing and provided with jalnb engaging teeth, a spring thrust wedge for pressing the catch into action, a sash cord sustained plunger connected with said wedge and adapted to be released upon the breakage of the sash cord, and a thumb piece for re tracting said wedge.

t. A window catch for sashes, comprising a casing, a pivoted catch therein adapted to be projected through an opening in the casing and provided with anib engaging teeth, a spring thrust wedge for pressing the catch into action, a sash cord sustained plunger connected with said wedge and adapted to be released upon the breakage of the sash cord, and a thumb screw for retracting and fastening said wedge.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in, presence of two witnesses.

MARK C. STUVER. lVitnesses Gnoucn N. BARNETT, JAY M. ALLEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

